earths life support systems tropical rainforest

Question 1

background

Answer 1

• and amaozn rainforest lies within the equatorial zone and covers an area of some 8.2 million km2 mainly in Brazil
• thenamaozn river flows through the basin from its source high in the andes mounatins towards its mouth in the atactic ocean
• it is the largest single source of fresh water runoff on earth represeting 15-20% of global river discharge
• at present the amazon rainforest acts as a carbon sink; it absorbs around 35% of the worlds annual co2 admissions and produces more than 20% of the worlds o2

Question 2

rainforest water cycle

Answer 2

• high average annual temps between 25 and 30 oc
• small seasonal variation in temp
• high average annunal rainfall with no dry season
• between 50-60 % if the precipitation in the amazon is recycled by evapotranspiration.
• precipitation, high average rainfall, fairly evenly distributed throughout the year though short drier season occurs in some places.